Sunday Jan 21

Millbrae may ban Styrofoam

Action could be part of a policy to protect the environment

By Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer

Millbrae officials are thinking green these days.

The city is exploring the possibility of implementing an environmental policy that would ban the use of Styrofoam at restaurants, which is something that is being done in Oakland and other Bay Area cities.

Oakland's ban took effect this month and violators can be fined up to $500 for repeated offenses. San Francisco has a similar ban that takes effect later this year.

"We would like to see the decrease of Styrofoam in the city," said Millbrae Public Works Director Ron Popp. "It is just to promote the environment."

Oakland officials said they banned Styrofoam because it is an oil-based product and studies showed it emits hazardous chemicals when heated. Styrofoam is also non-biodegradable and it poses a risk to animals, said Richard Cowan, Oakland City Council Member Jean Quan's chief of staff. Quan introduced Oakland's ordinance to ban Styrofoam.

Cowan said the law is enforced when violations are reported. "In other words, we don't have a Styrofoam police," he said.

The policy will likely come up at Tuesday's City Council meeting when city departments give the council progress reports on their activities during the past six months, City Manager Ralph Jaeck said. But a definitive plan for one will not be presented to the council until February or March.

"We started looking at recycling and it expanded from there," Jaeck said.

Other aspects of the policy could include financial incentives for businesses and residents who install solar power equipment; an effort to get residents to recycle more; the establishment of environmentally friendly building standards; and the conversion of more restaurant grease into power at Millbrae's new cogeneration plant.

Millbrae has been honored by San Mateo County for its cogeneration plant, which helps power the city's waste water treatment facility. The county also recognized the city for its recycling efforts.

Millbrae Mayor March Hershman has been one of the biggest backers of an environmental policy.

"It is not just needed in Millbrae, it is needed throughout the country and beyond," Hershman said. "Those of us who have read about the global warming and our responsibility for the planet, I think, share a deep concern for what we are doing and for the repercussions to future generations."


E-mail Mark Abramson at mabramson@dailynewsgroup.com.